Islam Awareness Week begins March 12

Muslim Student Association sponsors events on art, history and prayer

Have you ever wondered what Islam is? Who Muslims are? Why Muslims pray the way they do or why Muslim women cover their heads? Did you know that there are great similarities between Islam and other Abrahamic faiths? Learn more with a weeklong series of events planned by the Muslim Student Association (MSA).

Islam Awareness Week kicks of Monday, March 12, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., with “Islam 101.” Professor Carl Sharif El-Tobgui, director of the Arabic Language Program and senior lecturer in Arabic studies, will teach some of the basics of Islam in Heller G4. Light refreshments will be available at the event, which is cosponsored by the Brandeis Interfaith Group.

On Tuesday, consider wearing a Hijab or headscarf to class, and then join in a discussion, “Scarves for Solidarity,” in the MSA suite in Lower Usdan from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. about what it’s like for Muslim women to wear them everyday. If you don’t have a scarf, you can pick one up in the Student Campus Center at the “Ask a Muslim” table from noon to 2 p.m. The event is cosponsored by Girl Effect.

Join the MSA Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. for a talk by keynote speaker Suhaib Webb in Rapaporte Treasure Hall. Suhaib is the Muslim chaplain at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury, Mass. After converting to Islam, he went on to receive a bachelor's in education and studied under the wing of renowned Muslim scholars and at prestigious institutions of Islamic education. He has given multiple lectures in the Middle East, East Asia, Europe, North Africa and North America. And in 2010, he was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the world. Refreshments will be served.

On Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., learn about Islam and the arts in the Mandel Atrium. See what your name would look like written in Arabic and learn about Islamic art, which has been around since the seventh century. Members of the association will display art and poetry. The event is cosponsored by Project Nur.

If you’ve ever peeked into the International Lounge while the Muslim students were praying on a Friday and wondered what was happening, the week’s final event may be for you. Muslim Chaplain Talal Eid will be answering these questions and more during the weekly Jummah prayers! The campus prayer session will be held from 12:50 to 2:30 in International Lounge. Lunch will be provided.